NOVEMBER 29, 1940

Full News Archive

• Headline: Macy's Hosts Employee Idea Contest. Impact: Miss Peterson's victory inspired countless other employees to come up with 'ideas' that mostly involved creative ways to avoid work. This led to the invention of the 'office nap' and the mythical 'coffee break' that lasts for an hour.. Fact: You know, because nothing says rewarding your employees quite like a contest where the winner gets a pat on the back and a gift card to the store that pays their salary..
• Headline: Vote Tabulation Error in Michigan. Impact: This error was the initial spark that ignited the fire of conspiracy theories around elections. It led to the birth of the phrase 'if you can't trust the votes, what can you trust?' which somehow became a rallying cry for every disgruntled voter in history.. Fact: Fun fact: 4,000 votes may not seem like much until you realize it’s just enough to make a Michigan football game feel like a close call..
• Headline: TO HONOR ROCKEFELLER; Williamsburg Will Mark Benefactions at Ceremony Today. Impact: This ceremony set a precedent for wealthy benefactors to demand public recognition for their donations. It ultimately led to an entire industry of extravagant charity galas where the real winners are the event planners and caterers.. Fact: The irony is that the more you give away, the more you get your name plastered everywhere. It's like a 'pay-to-play' but with a fancy bow on top..
• Headline: COLOGNE BATTERED IN FIERCE R.A.F. RAID; Freight Yards, Rail Junctions and Bridges Smashed-- Several Big Fires Set. Impact: This raid not only devastated Cologne but also resulted in a peculiar spike in the popularity of air raid sirens as a trendy alarm clock option—because nothing says 'rise and shine' like the sound of impending doom.. Fact: Cologne's charm may have suffered, but at least it became a hot tourist spot for those who love charred ruins and stories of wartime heroics. Talk about a hard sell!.
• Headline: NEW BUS ROUTE TO START; Fifth Ave. Company Will Begin 8th Ave. Operations Sunday. Impact: The introduction of this bus route was the beginning of countless urban myths about how to navigate public transport. It also made the phrase 'Did you miss the bus?' an essential part of morning conversations for decades to come.. Fact: Did you know that bus routes have been known to inspire more existential crises than philosophy classes? 'Where am I going? Why is the bus 15 minutes late?'.
• Headline: MORE INCOME TAXES URGED BY TYDINGS; He Justifies Defense Expenses but Calls for Balancing Budget for Other Costs WANTS A BROADER BASE Senator Holds Masses Must Pay Off Deficit--Warns on Striking at High Incomes. Impact: Tydings's call for increased taxes led to generations of politicians trying to find the perfect balance between taxing the rich and keeping the masses from revolting—essentially the world's longest-running balancing act.. Fact: Isn't it funny how politicians always want to 'broaden the base' when it comes to taxes but never mention broadening the base when it comes to their own paychecks?.
• Headline: PLYMOUTH, IN U.S., HAILS BOMBED CITY; Message of Cheer Is Radioed as Part of Thanksgiving Celebration at the Rock. Impact: This message of cheer turned 'thankfulness' into a bizarre juxtaposition of gratitude for survival amidst destruction, setting the tone for future holidays filled with awkward family conversations about 'what we're thankful for' during times of crisis.. Fact: Thanksgiving: where the turkey may be dry, but the tension is always juicy. Perfect for conversations about bombed cities, right?.